Kubrick did such a masterful job with 2001, I guess if anyone believes the lunar landings were faked, then he would be a prime suspect. I read The Shining when it was published and I loved it and was disappointed with the movie, especially when the Scatman Cruthers character is killed by Jack Nicholson. Unnecessary, ant-climatic and not true to the book.
Essential plot element. Scatman Cruthers had to arrive at the hotel (and, sadly, be killed), so that Mom and kid could have the snow tractor on which to escape.